By Mark DeHaan

Looking to claim a spot in the MIAA Tournament, the Calvin softball team hosted the rival Flying Dutch of Hope College on Saturday afternoon. Calvin claimed a tournament spot despite dropping both ends of a doubleheader with Hope.

The Knights came into the day in third place in conference at 9-5, but still needed to take at least one game from Hope, which came in at 11-3, in order to secure a place in the four-team league tournament.

It was also Senior Day for Calvin. Janelle Agren, Lina Avila, Caitlin Callow, and Ashley Jakus were all recognized before the game.

Calvin collected 15 hits in the two games, but despite their success at the plate, could not turn baserunners into runs, falling in both games by scores of 6-2 and 4-0. Although Calvin lost both contests, the Knights were aided by a Saint Mary's win over Alma, a loss by the Scots which allowed the Knights to earn a berth in the MIAA Tournament. 

In game one, Hope got onto the board first in the top of the first inning with a RBI double. The Flying Dutch added an insurance run in the third, again on a RBI double.

The Knights got on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Senior Lina Avila led off the inning with a double, and was moved over on a sac bunt from junior Merin Cok. A single by sophomore Lydia Gildea then brought in Avila, but Calvin's offense was held to just the one run and the Knights trailed 2-1 after four.

In the fifth, Avila was on the giving end of another run for the Knights, using her third hit of the ball game to bring in senior Ashley Jakus for a RBI single and the 2-2 tie.

The Flying Dutch responded in the top of the sixth, capitalizing on a few defensive miscues by the Knights to score a pair of runs and take a 4-2 lead.

Adding two more runs in the seventh to take a 6-2 lead, Hope then held off Calvin despite allowing two base-runners in the bottom of the seventh, and the Flying Dutch claimed a 6-2 win in game one.

Avila was 3-for-3 with one RBI and a run scored, while Jakus and Pollock each hit 2-for-3 in game one. Freshman Cassidy Vlot took the loss in the circle, pitching 7.0 innings, striking out nine and giving up four earned runs.

For Hope, Peyton Wells was 3-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored.

In the second game, Hope played strong defense in holding the Knights scoreless. One run in the third and three in the fifth proved to be more than enough offense as the Flying Dutch took game two 4-0.

In game two, seven different players registered a hit for the Knights. Senior pitcher Caitlin Callow allowed two runs in 5.0 innings, scattering four hits and striking out four.

Hope's Julie Sobieski was 1-for-2 with two RBI, while Autumn Anderson had two runs scored on 1-for-2 hitting.

"We qualified for the tournament because of everything we've done this season up to today. While we're disappointed with the results today, the entire season is still successful and we go into next week with a chance at an upset," said head coach Tim Syrek. "The thing about these seniors is they all bring something distinctively different to our team. They've made my job easy in my first year, but I'm going to ask them this week to get better and not be satisfied with where they're at."

Despite losing both games, Calvin clinched a spot in the MIAA tournament with an Alma loss to Saint Mary's. The Knights finish the regular season 21-13 overall and 9-7 in league play, while Hope finishes 21-14 and 13-3 in conference play.

Calvin's appearance in the MIAA Tournament will be its first since 2005. The 21-win total is also the highest total since 2005.

The Knights now look forward to Thursday when they will travel to Trine University where all four tournament teams will play in the conference tournament.

Calvin will open tournament play against Trine on Thursday at 1 p.m.